Influence of Apical Diameter on Filling Material Extrusion during Retreatment - A Micro-CT and CBCT evaluation

Abstract Aim: To investigate whether foraminal widening performed at primary treatment has an effect on the amount of apically extruded obturator material during retreatment and to evaluate the sensitivity of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting extruded obturator material. Methods: Forty palatal roots of maxillary molars were selected based on micro-CT and divided into two groups (n=20): with foraminal widening (WE) and without foraminal widening (NE). To standardize the apical foramen, all specimens were instrumented to the foramen using the Protaper Next system, up to instrument X3. The WE group was instrumented to the foramen up to instrument X5, and the NE group was instrumented 1 mm lower. The canals were obturated 1 mm below the apical foramen with gutta-percha and AH Plus and stored for 7 days at 37 °C and 95% humidity. Roots were fixed in microtubes filled with 1.5% agar gel. The obturation material was removed with Reciproc R50. Scans of the teeth and agar were performed using micro-CT and CBCT. Comparison between groups and between methods was performed using Mann-Withney test (p ≤0.05). Results: No statistical difference was found when comparing the extruded material between groups using micro-CT (p = 0.589) or CBCT (p = 0.953). CBCT measured a greater volume of extruded material than micro- CT (p = 0.0004). Conclusion: Foraminal widening had no effect on the extrusion of filling material during retreatment. The CBCT favored the evaluation of apically extruded filling material.

Resumo Objetivo: Investigar se o alargamento do foramen realizado durante o tratamento primário tem um efeito na quantidade de material obturador apicalmente extruído durante oretratamento e verificar a sensibilidade da tomografia computorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC) na detecção de material obturador extruído. Métodos: Quarenta raízes palatinas de molares superiores foram selecionadas de acordo com a microtomografia computorizada, e foram divididas em dois grupos (n=20): com alargamento do foraminal (CA) e sem alargamento do foraminal (SA). Para padronizar o forame apical, todas as amostras foram instrumentadas com o sistema ProTaper Next até ao instrumento X3 até o forame. O grupo CA foi instrumentado até ao instrumento X5 até o forame, e o grupo SA foi instrumentado 1 mm aquém. Os canais foram obturados 1 mm abaixo do forame apical com gutta-percha e AH Plus e armazenados durante 7 dias a 37 °C e 95% de umidade. As raízes foram fixadas em microtubos preenchidos com gel de ágar a 1,5%. O material obturador foi removido com Reciproc R50. Os escaneamentos dos dentes e do ágar foram realizados com micro-CT e CBCT. A comparação entre grupos e entre métodos foi realizada utilizando o teste Mann-Withney (p ≤0.05). Resultados: Não foi encontrada diferença estatística ao comparar o material extruído entre grupos utilizando o Micro-CT (p = 0,589) ou TCFC (p = 0,953). Foi medido um volume maior de material extruído com a TCFC do que com a Micro- CT (p = 0,0004). Conclusão: O alargamento foraminal não teve qualquer efeito na extrusão do material obturador durante o retratamento. A TCFC favoreceu a avaliação do material de obturador apicalmente extruído.

Consequences of chemical residue formation during potentiation of final irrigation - in vitro study

Seeking to increase the efficiency of endodontic irrigation, the association of different solutions as final irrigant has been investigated, such as sodium hypochlorite with chlorhexidine. The literature shows that the combination of these substances leads to the formation of a brownish precipitate, but does not reveal measurements of the intensity of this precipitate and its consequences. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the change in dentin color and the obliteration of the dentinal tubules after the association of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with chlorhexidine (CHX) in the final irrigation. Methods: Fifty sterile human lower premolars were prepared with a ProDesign R 35.05 files and divided into 6 groups. Four different NaOCl concentrations (0.5%; 1%, 2.5% and 5.25%) associated with 2% CHX were tested, in addition to 2 control groups, using only 2.5% NaOCl and 2% CHX, respectively. After the final irrigation protocol, the dentin color change was evaluated by spectrophotometry immediately and after 24 hours, and the dentinal tubule obliteration was assessed by scanning electron microscopy. Results: It was possible to verify that regardless the NaOCl concentration used when associated with CHX, a chemical residue was formed, with consequent dentin pigmentation and tubular obstruction. There was a trend towards increased dentin pigmentation and tubular obstruction due to the deposition of the chemical residue formed by this association. Conclusion: It can be concluded that all concentrations of NaOCl associated with CHX caused color changes and tubular obstruction, being proportional to the concentration of NaOCl used